Brisk Polling throughout the country.

Reports from provinces claim that the Local Government Elections are being held throughout the island and brisk polling is reported in many places.  The election is so far peaceful except for one incident of throwing a hand grenade reported from the polling station at the Maguldamana Vidyalaya in Aralaganwila, in the Polonnaruwa District.  The hand grenade has injured a police officer who was on duty at the polling booth. Aralaganwila Police are conducting further inquiries.

Polling will be closed at 4.00 p.m. and as per the Election Secretariat, counting will start as soon as all ballot boxes are received at the respective counting centres.

It is expected that all results will be out by early morning tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the Elections Secretariat has established a special unit to report any election malpractice or threats during the polling.  The Unit will take in complaints from 7am to 5pm today. Details relating to the fax numbers of this unit are as follows:

Colombo, Gampaha, Kaluthara Districts        – 0112 877634

Galle, Matara, Hambanthota Districts            – 0112 877 636

Mullaitivu, Mannar, Vavuniya Districts         – 0112 877 637

Puttalam, Kurunegala Districts                       – 0112 877 640

Badulla, Moneragala Districts                        – 0112 877 641

TV and Radio channels have made special arrangements to announce the results as soon as they are officially released by the Commissioner of Elections.